Caffe Latte Recipe

Time10m

Serves1

Nutritional information is based on a 12 oz drink and 2% milk.

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Ingredients

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1
Preheat and dose
Turn on the espresso machine and allow it to fully heat (usually 15–30 minutes). While it heats, weigh 18 g of freshly roasted coffee beans and grind to a fine, slightly gritty espresso grind appropriate for your machine and portafilter.
2
Tamp and brew
Distribute the ground coffee evenly in a clean, dry 18–20 g portafilter basket. Tamp with consistent pressure and polish the puck. Lock the portafilter into the group head and start extraction. Aim for 36 ml of espresso in 25–30 seconds (yield may be single or double shot depending on basket). If extraction is too fast, adjust grind finer; if too slow, grind coarser.

3
Prepare milk jug
Pour 10 oz (about 300 ml) of cold 2% milk into a clean stainless-steel steaming pitcher. Using whole or lower-volume milk will slightly change texture; 2% yields a balance of creaminess and foam for a 12 oz drink.
4
Purge steam wand
Purge the steam wand briefly to remove condensation and then position the tip just below the milk surface.
5
Stretch and texture milk
Turn on steam and introduce air for 2–4 seconds by keeping the tip near the surface (you should hear a gentle hissing). Then submerge the tip deeper to heat and create microfoam. Aim for a temperature of 55–65°C (130–150°F) and a velvety, glossy texture with small, integrated bubbles. Total steaming time ~20–40 seconds depending on machine power. Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl to collapse larger bubbles and integrate foam.
6
Adjust milk volume
If the milk volume looks slightly low for a 12 oz drink, top up with the optional 2 oz of warmed milk to reach desired level. Keep textured milk ready for pouring immediately after espresso.

7
Combine espresso and milk
Pour the freshly extracted 36 ml espresso into a pre-warmed 12 oz cup. Immediately pour the steamed milk into the center of the espresso, starting higher to incorporate milk and crema, then move the pitcher closer to the cup to form a small layer of microfoam on top. Aim for roughly 1 cm of foam on top.
8
Sweeten and garnish (optional)
If desired, stir in up to 1 tsp granulated sugar or an equal amount of simple syrup to taste. Lightly dust with 1/4 tsp cocoa powder or ground cinnamon for garnish.
9
Serve
Serve immediately while hot (best within 5 minutes). Typical yield is a 12 oz caffe latte using the listed amounts.